Chapter 12
After my single condemning sentence to him the atmosphere in the room change quite rapidly, Luciano not bothering to demean Matthias any further even.
The threat of a civil war was not at all what I needed at the moment, especially when relations with Russia have yet to develop to a point where they could differentiate between a legitimate ruling government and an upstart. If there was to be war at this time, we'd need their support.
Thinking about it now and seeing as I've already landed at such a conclusion, these chiefs' must have already done so with extra time from Matthias and Luciano's idling to make contact with Russia and in the worst of my nightmares; Madagascar.
If they were smart and committed to usurping myself and what was left of my loyal men, they would have contacted Madagascar with an offer. An offer to most likely serve as a puppet state in the event of their victory. A victory they would no doubt attain with the Malagasy support. After all, unlike us, Madagascar was not cut off from the world and had the means to access the weaponry that so outcla.s.ses ours.
There was a lot more to factor in but even without all that, the resulting outcome wasn't looking favourable for myself.
I look to Luciano who'd been quietly seated all the while I processed the news. In truth I doubted him greatly, his pa.s.sed betrayals aside, this was a brilliant opportunity for a strong military leader like himself to cease power of the nation he no doubt l.u.s.ts after. Again, if these chiefs were any worth their salt, they'd approached him with the offer already. Luciano had significant control over the military and all its organs, if you wanted a civil war to be successful attaining his loyalty would be a deciding factor.
"Luciano, they've approached you haven't they?" I eye him carefully. His reaction tells me he wasn't expecting to be the subject of my inquiries, "What have they told you of their plans? Speak."
They may be smart but to lure fish as big as Luciano you'd need some big bait, and you can't have bait without letting a few things slip.
"Sir, I-"
"Don't let your first words be a lie, Luciano." I caution. I wasn't all sure the intel-ii-the name I'd chosen to settle with for the intelligence gathering thought bubbles- could tell me whether or not a man was speaking the truth or not and I'd rather not waste any time trying to coerce it out of an ally.
He took in a deep breath steadying his heart before speaking, "Yes, I have been approached by these chiefs, their proposals have been…tempting but I a.s.sure you, sir, that I gave them no mind, my loyalties lie with Schelar."
"Yes, well that's what all many traitors have spoken before turning to stab their nation in the back," his mouth hangs agape as I am sure he is beginning to feel targeted, "but I will have faith that your image of Schelar aligns well with mine. But do understand that I will have to take precautions against you."
He nods, having no other choice but to understand, as he stands within my palace, even with military influence as widen reaching as his, no man within these walls bore him any loyalty. I was safe to deliver on my threats and promises.
"You
"Well, sir," he begins still looking shaken by his technical demotion, "They ate of the belief that your sudden ailing was a G.o.dsend as well as a sign that a new age for Schelar must begin…"
The intel-ii couldn't tell me if Luciano spoke the truth, only giving me details of his heart rate, perspiration as well as other factors that to my limited knowledge could be combined to discern a lie from the truth. Basically, it left it up to my gut to decide whether or not he was lying.
From what Luciano had reported, the chiefs were well equipped to carry out and win a civil war. They believed that the birth of the country was the only good thing the Fatah dynasty had done for the people and that my ruling would continue to degrade the already dire conditions of many Schelarians. They feared extreme poverty among the millions and added to the complete economic boycott we'd been faced with since birth; a Malagasy incursion.
Unfortunately, these words rang true for many within the country as they'd boasted to have ama.s.sed thousands of followers ready to commit to their cause of bringing executive power to the people chosen by the people. A true democracy they called it, a single representative from one of each of the provinces Schelar held.
"It sounds like they've had much more time to sort these things out, Luciano," Matthias speaks, I'm surprised he bothered picking up his b.a.l.l.s at all. "I only just inst.i.tuted the joint form of ruling, this all sounds too prepared and thought out for just four days."
I nod agreeing with Matthias, it seems this ill spark of revolution would have begun sooner or later without Matthias' interference. I supposed he just made it a lot more convenient for them to light it.
"Yes, there is an explanation for this, one I'm sure you'd be familiar with, Sir."
One I'd be familiar with? I wasn't liking where this was headed.
Regardless, he continued, "One g.a.y.l.o.r.d Ralefy, a resident multi-millionaire has been generously funding their activities as well as incentivizing more and more of the populace to join what has now become a movement and eventually, a political party. He has been doing so for quite some time, Sir."
To say I was shocked by what I just hear would be an understatement. This was one s.h.i.+tty day.
"A movement? When did all this take place?"
"Uh, we submitted a two-week-long report of everything that had taken place during your absence, Sir. It was on your desk."
I let out a sigh as I realize I'd forgotten entirely to read the very report I asked for. Although, not entirely my fault as the being took me in for 'tutorials' leading to me falling haplessly unconscious.
I nod, promising to catch up on the current affairs, "Okay then, How about this g.a.y.l.o.r.d Ralefy? His name does sound eerily familiar but I can't seem to figure out how."
Luciano nods taking the initiative, "Yes sir, He is the same Ralefy you blacklisted out of the palace the day you held audience with the reporter, Aina Leriva. He was also once her boss before you authorized-"
"Ralefy of Peak View Media!?"
"Ah, yes sir-"
"You should have begun with that. The man must hold a grudge for what Miss Leriva and I did to him." I groan unsatisfied with the way things were beginning to turn out, "But I didn't think him stupid enough to go against me. Where is he now?"
"We don't know, Sir," Matthias jumps in with more unfortunate news, "From what the intelligence agencies have told us, he emptied his accounts here in Schelar and has basically disappeared."
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Of course, he has…
"And the chiefs? They too have disappeared haven't they?"
"All but one, Sir," Luciano says, his face sharing my growing despair quite fondly. "We a.s.sume he is playing the role of mascot as well as the potential martyr."
A mascot, martyr and p.a.w.n. Most successful movements have their sacrificial lambs, men and women who know only what they need to know and filled with much commitment to the cause. Set out with instructions on how to fulfil their role effectively.
Even if we pounced on this one chief, arresting him for treason against the state, just as it was we'd only be proving what the chiefs' lines of slander say to be true. Making their requirement of willing voluntaries a lot more effective. And if we don't make a move we'd be giving the chiefs breathing s.p.a.ce to carry out their activities a lot more comfortably as well. Doing something aids them as much as doing nothing does.
"If I knew how much trouble Ralefy was going to be I wouldn't have let him out of the palace alive…"
I feel Matthias and Luciano's eyes on me as I crack my thumbs, pus.h.i.+ng down at the sockets and flexing them. They awaited instructions.
I close my eyes to think. Inhaling deeply as I realize it was my lack of instructions that caused Matthias to crack under pressure as de jure leader of Schelar.
"What, what do we do, Hasina?" Matthias asks, the desperation and fear I hear in his voice is pathetic to me yet elicits my sympathies and my respect. He was this fearful yet remained loyal. I appreciated it.
I open my eyes and look to the two of them, an idea finally coming to mind.
"We need to find them, I need to see Schelar."